How to connect throttle/shift controls to outboard??

[lmholmes11]

Hello,

I just bought a Thunderbolt 500 50hp outboard. The guy i bought it from had all the controls connected and we disconnected everything so I could bring it home. That being a few weeks ago, I have NO idea of how to reconnect the throttle/shift control cables. Any help would be appreciated! Thich cable is the throttle and which one is for shifting?


Thank you for taking the time to read and/or respond.

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: How to connect throttle/shift controls to outboard??

Hard to explain this in text, but I'll try.

First cable to move when you advance the throttle is the SHIFT cable. You want it to shift into gear before the throttle is applied.

Start with the shift cable. With the gearbox in neutral, and the helm in neutral you will insert the cable into the lower cowling, then place the barrel nut into its hole. The end of the cable should slide over the pin on the end of the shaft shaft easily. If not, adjust the barrel nut accordingly and try again. There should be a cover nut to hold that in place when you're done.

Next come s the throttle cable. With the controls in neutral and the throttle arm at the motor against the idle stop, you want to insert the throttle cable into the motor and adjust the barrel so that the cable applied a bit of pressure holding the throttle arm against the stop. Idea here is that you should be able to hold a piece of paper between the throttle arm and its stop, but not be so tight that the paper tears when you try to remove it.

If these cables were on that motor before, you shouldn't have any problems getting them installed again. Don't forget to make sure all fasteners are tight at the cable ends, and that the locking mechanism is in pace at the barrel nuts. to keep everything secure.

Good luck. Nice motor.

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: How to connect throttle/shift controls to outboard??

You didn't mention a model year. If you provide the serial number, I'll double check what the actual configuration looks like, to assist if necessary.

 

[lmholmes11]

Re: How to connect throttle/shift controls to outboard??

The motor is at my buddies house, so I cant give the SN to you at this moment, it is a long shaft, electric ignition in line-4. I hope that helps for now until I get the number.

Picture is attached

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: How to connect throttle/shift controls to outboard??

That's an early-mid 70's by the appearance. Nice motor.

Instructions above apply, although I admit they are confusing.

Good luck.

 

[lmholmes11]

Re: How to connect throttle/shift controls to outboard??

Ok i have figured out which cable is which, and I now know what you are saying as far as connecting the cables to the motor. However I am having a hard time locating the throttle/gear linkage to physically connect the cables to. As I am facing the boat, I know they have to be on the right hand side where the square hole is, in order to feed the cables through. Maybe i'm just looking too hard and overseeing them.

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: How to connect throttle/shift controls to outboard??

Throttle connects on the bottom of the big throttle arm. When bottom of arm is pushed back against the motor its in its idle stop position.

Below that, the shift cable connects to a horizontal slider which is connected to an arm that rotates horizontally. The shift rod itself goes straight down into the mid-section (directly below the carbs).